VOTE NOW!! For the place we should go to eat our first day!

[RoundtownGirl]

Chef Mickey's and then a trip on the monorail. Nothing like seeing Mickey at your first meal. Then back to hotel and early bedtime so that everyone is fresh for the next morning.

 

[Shake]

It's probably to late to have an influence on this decision but I'll try to persuade others. I would say your best bet would be Beirgarten. Your kids can dance to the polka band while you relax with a couple Huge drafts after a hectic first day

 

[bam1004]

HDDR is the best!!! We did it our arrival night last trip and it really was a blast and the food was great!!! Beer and Sangria don't hurt either!!!
Have a great trip!

 

[DisDreamz]

We always start and end our trip with a visit to Chef Mickey. Because we fly in from the West we get in late so have a late dinner seating and then we have a late breakfast on the day we leave. Kind of a start and end with Mickey

This year though we're breaking tradition. We're starting and ending with trips to 1900 Park Fare. My youngest's birthday is the day after we arrive and she wanted to go to Chef Mickey for that dinner instead.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

We have the tradition of always eating our first meal at whatever resort we might be staying. I like this tradition for a few reasons!

One, it's relaxing! We can check out and explore the resort that first day.

Two, it sets the mood for the rest of the stay.

Three, we always get to try something new and different.

Four, if a restaurant ever closes, it will not mess up our tradition. We are not dependent on one restaurant to keep our tradition alive.

 

[Lehuaann]

My vote's for Jiko

 

[Quin]

Am assuming you are not going to any of the parks on your arrival day?

Then I would vote for Chef Mickey UNLESS it will provoke a meltdown for the child who sees the MK and Cinderella Castle from the monorail and then is told that they can't go there today. That does sometimes happen - they can understand beforehand that you are not going to the park until the next day, but after meeting Mickey and seeing how close they are to the MK, it becomes overwhelming for the kid. You know your kids best.

Other good arrival-day traditions can include a round of mini-golf at one of Disney's themed courses and/or a trip to Ft Wilderness for an after-dinner movie with Chip & Dale (if you do this one, stuff a bag of big marshmallows in your luggage. They have a campfire and roast marshmallows at the movie site and will cheerfully sell you an individual kit but it's $$$).

 

[Uncleromulus]

California grill--the view and fireworks can't be beat for a first night meal.

 

[Kae]

Chef Mickeys or Kona. Then take a ride on the monorail we even hop over & do the Epcot loop too. I have not eaten at Sanaa but that could be a choice.

Kae

 

[whitney37354]

Chef Mickey's

 

[mrmdisneyfl]

If you really want to start off on the right foot and you are staying at AKL, if money (or TS credits) are not a worry and your kids can handle a signature, Jiko. It allows you the whole day to relax at the resort, do some of the activities that are going on both before and after dinner, and be fully rested and prepped for the rest of your trip. If money or TS credits is an issue, Sanaa would be a great option for similar reasons.

I second this. We have started our trip a few times at Jiko with our 4 year old DD and it sets the mood for the rest of the trip for us.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Our first meal is Captain's Grille... then we head over to the Boardwalk and then go Mini Golfing.

Other ideas are 1900 Park Fare or the Grand Floridian Cafe... then go out and watch the fireworks on the boat dock. If your kids could sit thru a meal at the California Grill that would be awesome too!

 

[tskover57]

We always do Ohana and watch Wishes on the Poly beach. I think it's a great way to start a trip!

 

[skw444]

We're doing Hoop Dee Doo on our arrival night this year, so that's my vote.

 

[michaela mouse]

The experts have spoken and it looks like it's Chef Mickey's. Now the tough part....getting a ressie. Wish me luck..

DD

 

[disneymom2003]

We like to go to Cape May Cafe on our arrival day. We have done it the past 2 trips. Love it there.

Oh I have to agree! We always do Cape May the first day. Love it

 

[leitadisneyfan]

Another vote for Hoop Dee Doo